Photo courtesy Weaver Boatworks
By Nichole Osinski
Jim Weaver started fishing when he was around 20 years old, but it wasn’t until the 80s when he first competed in the White Marlin Open. A Maryland native, Weaver claims it was that tournament that got him hooked on sportfishing. Fast forward to the late 90s and Jim had started a construction business and now had his own 55-foot Ocean Yacht, as well as friends who had custom boats built. Something that Weaver would see as a challenge.
With an extensive list of sportfishers across the globe and more on the way, Jarrett Bay is now celebrating 35 years of boat building. For the company’s 35th anniversary, Jarrett Bay co-founder Randy Ramsey looks back on the events and people that inspired his first build, Sensation, which would go on to shape future boats to come.
An evolution of Merritt boats, in formation. The 42’ Caliban, built solely by Roy Merritt in 1967, the 72’ Brier Patch built in 2009. And the 86’ Destiny, splashed in 2011.
The Sea Fix, a Ritchie boat splashed in 2019, exemplifies Howell’s modern creations—the heritage of which can be traced to a conversation between two North Carolina charter captains. Photo courtesy Pepper Ailor
The Moppie, the first 31 Bertram, would win the 1960 and 1961 Miami to Nassau Race.
To build any boat from scratch is a magical thing. Having the gumption to take a big pile of your own money and turn it into a pile of materials that you intend to turn into a boat goes way beyond my perception or capabilities. Taking another fella’s money and trying to do it for the first time must spin the term “nerve wracking” to incredible new heights. Nevertheless, there’s always a few pioneers who step up and make something new that the boat-building industry just can’t ignore. Here are just a few examples of boats that have made a difference…there are plenty many more in North Carolina, Florida and elsewhere….
